The Broken V

Driving to school early one morning, Bethany and I noticed a group of geese flying in a V. Suddenly, they broke apart, two flying in one direction, three flying another, one off on its own. As they parted, they scattered but their flying had no direction. They seemed lost and lacked confidence. They did not know which way to go. We continued to watch as my driving became more precarious. In their scattered flying, they called out to one another, redirected their course toward one another, and again formed a V. We watched as their confidence was restored and they flew off into the distance. They now had direction and purpose. With one another, they moved forward together with strength. They were focused and continued the course together.

Watching these geese was fascinating to me, but what I took from them was so much more than enjoying the antics of God’s creation. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon provides some good reminders of how to stay on the right course.

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27)

Solomon stresses the importance of guarding our hearts – watching out for the dangers and difficulties that so easily enter in when we do not watch our words or what our eyes see. He encourages us to keep our speech pure, to focus our eyes ahead and to watch the path we tread. While Solomon gives straightforward instruction, he also issues a warning. We are to keep our hearts with all vigilance or with careful watch. The sin that so quietly seeps into our hearts gushes out, making itself clearly evident through our words, attitudes and actions. Pursuing God and the narrow path He has laid for us will move us forward in the right direction.

The geese broke apart from the V and lost direction. Flying in the V formation, each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of them, helping to reduce the wind resistance. The leading bird falls back when it tires, and another takes a turn leading the V. Their strength and direction came as they worked together and kept themselves in the right direction. Isn’t that what we are to do as the body of Christ?

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

After losing each other in the sky, the geese called out and encouraged one another to get back on the right path. The same holds true for believers. We are to call out and encourage one another to keep on the straight path.

Sometimes keeping on the straight path is because a true friend has lovingly confronted you with a sin issue. Sometimes keeping on that path is through encouragement you receive as you study the Word with a group of friends. Sometimes it is a gift of flowers to a hurting friend. And, sometimes the courage to continue and obey comes through a talk with your best friend. Are you and those around you headed in the right direction? Call out and encourage someone today.

In His Love,

Susan